2000s (decade)
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| Decades: | 1970s 1980s 1990s – 2000s – 2010s 2020s 2030s |
2000
Europe
-The German people in the Rhine build up a resistance movement against the French. The looters are pushed back near the French Border. The French cry foul with this “blatant armament”, but Spain and Portugal urges Germany to back off.
-The French economy, after years of skating on it’s military expenditures, increased inflation to repay debts, and a general isolation from the world market, completely and utterly collapses. The major pullout from the Rhine proves to be the last straw that broke the camel’s back. The WESE, the major stock exchange in France and Spain, drops almost 25% in a matter of 45 minutes. Dubbed “Bleak Thursday”, by the end of the year, the French economy is down almost 40%, to levels equal to almost 30 years ago.
-Due to France’s relatively isolation from the world market at this time, most of the world does not see a major financial crisis by the end of the year. Yes, Britains, economy did not rise as much as it has been, but life outside the Pact of Steel has not been that affected so far. Inside the Pact of Steel, life, to say the least, sucks. Unemployment is up to 20% in France, 25% in Spain. Tensions are rising in the Pact of Steel.
-Politically, the Fleur-de-lys loses whatever power they had. What might be even worse than the depression, the French Government is in complete disarray. Various persons, such as Unionists, Nationalist, Greens, Orbists, Christian Liberals, Anarchists, and even a resurgence of Eternalists seize a stake in the French government, most of whom are against everyone else. Nobody knows which party is really in control of the country, and the Government is doing absolutely nothing to actually help the people.
-With the onset of the collapse, many religious revivalist rise up in Europe. While they are mostly unorganized, most claim that the nuclear bomb is bad from a religious perspectivem ranging from the idea that mere mortals are not supposed to handle the “Power of God”, to the notion that the God Almighty is angry at the French for using the bomb, to the economy collapsing being a sign of the apocalypse or as a message for worldwide peace. Despite the rather mixed ideas, the all promote the same thing, That nuclear weapons are bad and that God is unhappy with us. The idea surges, and the Christian Party even manages to surge to a majority in the New Switzerland
-With France’s collapse, Russia reduces it’s official anti-German campaign. As the French were pushing the movement, Russia becomes more hesitant to continue it. Nonetheless, native Germans are still discriminated against in Eastern Europe.
-The Germans also see a little economic decline, but not as major as in the Pact of Steel. Many Germans feel morally victorious after the collapse. This momentarily halts the NDEAV movement.
Africa
-Kamerun pleads for the Bugandas and the Bornu to spare their country from total destruction. Seeing that the new government is not Unionist, both accept these terms.
-Buganda and Bornu still need to sort out their newly acquired territory. For the Bungandans, Unionist rebels in the jungle still pose a concern, though their numbers are on the decline as they retreat further into the jungle
-The De Gama Tower, the tallest structure in Africa at over 1,500 feet tall, is hit by an arsonist and collapses in Cape Town due to an anomaly in the steel in the base. Over 1,000 people die in the collapse. The arsonist, Oscar Williams, is still on the run.
Asia
-As most Middle Eastern countries were trading oil with France, their economy took a downturn as well. As oil is still booming, their economy is only minorly hit. Turkey experiences the most loss, but it is minimal compared to France. Still, some countries are still becoming more suspicious on the situation in Europe. Some are thinking on putting restrictions on their oil export in case some European countries are stockpiling in case of war
-India’s economy is still booming. The whole subcontinent is flourishing with wealth and companies from the NAU are now beginning to start companies in India, as the cost is low and is more profitable.
-China is also experiencing a small boom in economy as the country rebuilds from war. China announces the plans for constructing a dam on the Yangtze, which will be the largest construction project in history for anyone.
Americas
-Overall, despite the downturn in France, the NAU feels no effect. The economy is still strong, and the US remains to be a shining aura of greatness in the world
-The fireworks display for the New Millenium in Detroit, Michigan, kills 30 after a chain reaction sends fireworks flying uncontrollably. In a similar odd occurrence, the display in Charlestown, South Carolina accidentally goes off all at once, leaving fans awed for 7 seconds and then disappointed
-The ATL receives a sudden boom in prosperity, with attendance up 50% from the previous year. It makes a claim to become a major powerhouse in the sport business
-Baseball expands to Mexico City, as the Continental League’s Mexico Vacas join the league. Baseball continues to be the most popular sport in the US, and it’s increasing popularity in South America and Great Britain are preparing it to overtake soccer as the most popular sport in the world.
2001
Europe
-The NDEAV movement has effectively stalled and lost a fair amount of support in light of recent German economic reforms and even some economic support from countries such as Brazil, Buganda, and the NAU. The hope is to prevent another economic tumble in Europe and many are in agreement that Germany is the best hope for preventing that. The Germans are aware that these nations are trying to buy or at least in some cases genuinely want to help them, but right now many in Germany feel that it would be better to just keep foreigners out as they attempt to get their house in order.
-The German government is doing its best to keep Germany united, nothing through anger or vengeance but through the idea that now in its nation’s darkest hour it remains united through the bonds of family, community, and country so that it may weather the storm. People are still anger and frustrated and while the German people don’t want to take it out on each other, someone has to pay for this indignity.
-The resistance movement in the Rhine is hit hard with French attacks and it is a miracle for the people to still be holding out. No doubt the nascent resistance group is hoping that the French will just back down in light of their economic situation.
-The French economy and the Pact of Steel nations are really hurting right now; odds are that France will not be able to recover from the economic constraints and shortfalls for at least another 10 years. It is clear that Spain and Portugal are important to keeping the French economy afloat and that makes any attempt of those two nations leaving a very dangerous possibility for France. The Fleur-de-lys party collapse has resulted in many of the founding members moving towards other ideologies. Currently Nationalist, Christian Liberals, and Eternalists parties have gained the most influence as things such Unionism and Orbism just doesn’t appeal to the French people as a whole (It was clearly a lack of stronger leadership that lead France to its current predicament says the parties.)
-The planned Association Unioniste des travailleurs radicaux (AUTR) uprisings would ultimately fail as French government forces would ultimately capture and execute most of the leadership of the party. The Association pour paix et nature (APN) leadership remains at large.
-The ECU meanwhile is starting to falter in its unity as Iceland and Greenland officially leave the ECU as its people wish to move away from European affairs. Denmark declares that they cannot ignore the ECU mandate, to which Iceland and Greenland declare independence and request the NAU to provide aid and protection. This has created a rather dangerous political and economic precedent between the NAU and ECU when a NAU battlegroup are invited to Iceland waters.
-The people in NAU are in support of the two nation’s independence. Mexico and America are interested in creating a much stronger naval and strategic presence in the Atlantic and Canada wants to deal with outstanding issues with the Artic territories and its Atlantic shipping lanes. The ECU cannot afford to lose two more nations so soon after the European War and also lose more political and economic influence to North America. Both governments are aware that mineral wealth and strategic value of Iceland/Greenland are pretty much not worth going to war over, but whoever backs down first will either gain or regain influence in both Europe and the Atlantic.
However the NAU clearly has the advantage in this situation.
-The Christian Party has made its way into Russia as well and that has resulted in several brutal purges by the Russian government against the Party. The Russians are not about to bring in what they see as peaceniks that are attempting to stir up defeatist or apologetic mentalities in the Russian people. The Russian government is able to get away with this due to the rather lucrative trade deals with the NAU, India, China, Iran, and Turkey. The Balkans are also benefiting from increased Russian infrastructure development and business (ignoring any brutal reprisals they have committed against the people there.) So far it looks like Russia will be okay economically, barring any major problems.
-A shocking revelation has been uncovered in Britain. It thankfully has nothing to do with the Queen and her family, but her government. A MI6 (or whatever equivalent in this world) document had been released to the general public and even several international outlets. It was a top-secret document dated 1994 shows that James Philip, MP of State and Foreign Affairs, and MI6 Chief Daniel Weave were in fact aware of a nuclear attack on Hamburg due to their connections within the French government at the time. The document shows that British intelligence was aware of the impending attack by French bombers by THREE days. The document goes on to evidently say that both men sat on the information in lieu “possible miscommunications in the transcripts” rather than alert the greater British government. How accurate or truthful this information is debatable, the man who found and released the document was a disgruntled file clerk at MI6 who had in fact a history of mental problems. His reasons behind the release of such information were a form of petty vengeance against an agency he deemed unsound in moral fiber. Regardless the damage has been done and the British government is now under fire from all manner of organizations and groups. The most awkward part came when the Queen was asked during an interview if she was aware of such a conversation taking place between one of her minsters. When it became clear that she had NOT in fact spoken to his ministers about such a monumental event that was about to place in the war, it made the Queen look as if she was pretty much out of the loop on both foreign and internal affairs in her country. Thankfully, this does turn into an international incident of any kind between the two nations. It does however cause relations between both nations to freeze completely overnight.
Africa
-Not much happens this year aside from more Unionist being killed. Buganda and Bornu are still working on sorting out who gets what in terms of land and Kamerun wonders what they are going to do now. Unionism has suffered a serious blow in Africa at this point and maybe would be Unionist are pretty much discouraged from attempting anything right now.
-Egypt is annoyed that it didn’t do anything in this war, makes the current Egyptian government appear weak.
-Oscar Williams still hasn’t been found. He currently has a one million dollar bounty on his head.
Asia
-Most oil producing countries quietly agree with each other over the agreement that if in the event of another major war taking place in Europe that would in fact put trade restrictions on the whole of Europe to prevent nations from stock piling oil. While it would allow them to make a vast amount of money, the idea of allowing potential enemies to essentially just stock pile a resource that could be used against them would be a bad idea.
With the success of such an agreement a few nations believe it might be a good idea to create an organization of oil producing nations that would be able to help regulate and perhaps set an international price for oil purchases. This idea however falls apart when Iran and Arabia refuse to work together after the last major that took place between the two. The attempt to create a united front will ultimately fail.
-That incident aside, most of the Middle East continues to rebuild or build up their current holdings to a set standard. This was considered another pretty peaceful year for just about everyone in the land of God.
-India and China have signed a trade agreement with each other. The hope is that they will be able to support each other in becoming major exporting nations to the rest of the world. The Chinese certainly needed this agreement along with the ones with Russia and the NAU.
Behind closed doors the Chinese ask the Indians if they’d be willing to enter a military alliance with each other. The Indians are of course hesitant for such a thing, but the Chinese make a good point about trying to counter the growing influence of the Manchurian lead alliance against China. While a war hasn’t started yet, both sides are clearly aware that it is coming and the Chinese would like an actual friend and ally in the mix. The Indians will consider their offer as they also have much too lose if a war breaks out, but such a thing could also spell the doom of their nation.
-Construction of the Yangtze is underway and it’s looking like it will be a long term project. The Chinese are being supported by India and Russia for such an endeavor while the NAU sends material and personnel over to help with the construction. A lot of people are interested in seeing this project go through and it would allow for investor confidence in China. As such the Chinese are experience a significant economic boom this year.
-India has been sending a lot of students, engineers, and scientists over to the NAU and more importantly to their colleges and technology firms. The Indian government believes that the Green Technologies they are working could allow for a true Indian derived niche to form in the world market. The NAU is willing to help pay for student and international loans and even get people into the best technology firms and think tanks if it means they too get some insight into green technologies. India for the most part continues to focus on making an affordable solar-powered car.
-Oceania and Papua finally open back up talks with each other and discuss about possibly fixing ties with each other. There is a lot of ground work to cover and a LOT more culturally wounds to heal but people are willing to give this a shot.
The Americas
-The North American Union is basically juggling a lot of international missions. South America requires constant attention, Africa is being closely watched, and Asia is getting a lot of help from the private citizens and the like…then there is Europe
The NAU is concerned that another war in Europe will happen and they will have to get involved. The US, Mexico, and Canada all have their own ideas on to go about that though. The United States wants to increase funding towards military projects in space and the air, Mexico wants to analyze all current major conflicts taking place and invest in more Special Forces based on what they have learned from such conflicts and Canada believes that the NAU will need more allies in Europe and wants to handle any war with the massive political and economic power the NAU has at its disposal.
-The average citizen in the NAU currently is very hesitant to create something like the United States of North America or a North American Federation at this time. It is not that people are against it, they just do not what it to become the ECU. When a continent wide poll was conducted, 89% of a million person poll would be in favor of setting the ground work for such a union by 2010 and then it’s actually creation sometime in 2015 or so. For now the NAU is perfectly acceptable to the average citizen
-In an official ceremony, the Kingdom of Hawaii joins with the North American Union. Citing the increased the tourism from mostly people in the NAU, it felt that it could stand to benefit more in this new millennium with joining the economic powerhouse. The US and Mexican Navy are also quite interested in setting up a joint naval base in Pearl Harbor.
-The Moon base continues to expand, the ISS continues to be built, and a manned mission to Mars is ready for a 2002 launch using a top-secret spacecraft the NAU has been working on. The United States puts up a few military focused satellites in orbit for NAU use and only the highest people in the NAU command structure are aware of what they are capable of, but it thankfully doesn’t seem to be something that has offensive capabilities.
-Brazil and Peru are starting to get eye each other warily. Argentina and Israel have reported several boarder skirmishes against each other, but so far nothing else has happened.
2002
Europe
The new nation of Arctica (Greenland, Iceland, and the Faeroes) joins the NAU. Europe is annoyed, but too caught up in its affairs to care much. Denmark sends out a military ship near Iceland, though, and there are worries that Denmark'll try to do something.
Germans in the territories occupied by France, Poland, and Czechoslovakia are getting resentful, and determined to get rid of their foreign occupiers sooner or later. German people make up 45% of the population of Czechoslovakia, 30% of the population of Poland, and 8% of the population of France.
While Poland and Czechoslovakia are just about staying together, France completely falls apart. Few people have faith in the French government any more, and the military is divided. The execution of political opponents was the last straw- the return of the death penalty was unpopular even amongst the government's supporters. On 7 January, the Brittany area declared independence as the "Free French State"; other parts of France declared independence too in the next few months, protected by local sympathetic military members.
Taking advantage of this civil war, Germany quickly retakes all of the territory it had lost just a few years prior, plus a bit more territory containing German-speakers.
Completely unexpectedly, the Free French State requests becoming part of the UK as a constituent nation. The public are mostly in favor of this, as it's seen as being protection from the French government. The UK, however, wants nothing to do with this war, and ignores the request.
Steadily losing ground, the French government issues an ultimatum, that the rebels would stop fighting and agree on a ceasefire, or the government would use nukes. The ceasefire is holding, barely, though the situation is clearly untenable, and the threat of nuclear war looms.
The Sicilies is now one of the most stable and prosperous countries in Europe. An ambitious project is started to connect the islands via fixed links: in addition to the existing road-rail bridge from the mainland to Sicily, a high speed rail tunnel will be constructed from Sicily to Tunisia, another high speed rail tunnel from Tunisia to Sardinia, a road-rail bridge from Sardinia to Corsica, and a rail tunnel from Corsica to San Marino. These will all be complete by the year 2014, and are expected to generate a huge economic boost.
Africa
A treaty is signed delimiting the new borders between Buganda, Borno, and Kamerun, including a last-minute deal to give Buganda an Atlantic port.
Americas
The NAU agrees on a pathway towards federalism. The existing federal systems of Mexico and the USA shall be adapted to deal with a large federation of about 100 states, with currencies slowly being brought together. The right to self-determination is emphasised, to try to avoid the ECU's problems. In the current plan, the nations will fully join together into a single sovereign federation by 2029.
Central America expresses interest in joining the NAU.
The NAU draws up plans to build a Mars base within ten years. The moon base continues to expand and is now fairly self-sufficient, with high-technology components continuing to be shipped from Earth.
Oceania
Papua-Oceania peace talks continue.
The Moon
A baby is born on the Moon, to a woman whose birth control had failed. There are many concerns about the health of this child, but it's a celebrated achievement for humanity. It is decided to raise the child on the Moon, as it is thought that it wouldn't survive the increased gravity of a trip to Earth. The child is christened Luna Perez, and she seems destined to grow up as a symbol of the future of humanity.
2003
North America
- -Backlash against the NAU is growing in all its constituent parts. It becomes a big part of the upcoming 2004 Presidential elections in the US, in which incumbent President Charlotte Sanchez is not running. A small but vocal minority of people are supporting a candidate named George Schafer, a former Governor of Lakota who is running for the Whig nomination on an anti-NAU platform. He doesn't seem to have much chance at the nomination but he has a large fanbase.
- -The Aleutian Islands are now home to a lot of Dudeists who started moving there in the 1970s. The local people were accepting at first but now there are some tensions as the Dudeist population has increased.
South America
- -A lot of people in Guiana want independence. They have more in common culturally with the Canadian Caribbean.
Africa
- -The people on the new West Coast of Buganda are confused as to why they ended up being part of Buganda. Many people protest as a result.
Asia
- -China and India form the alliance that they were planning on forming.
- -The Caucasus is a bit of a mess. The borders don't really match the ethnic realities very well, and not everyone is happy about that. In particular, large parts of southwestern Armenia and eastern Kurdistan are inhabited by ethnic Azerbaijanis.
Europe
- -Ethnic tensions in Czechoslovakia, Poland, and France rise. Not only are there substantial German minorities, but there are other minorities as well: the Czechs and Slovaks don't all feel that they should be part of the same country, and there are a few small separatist groups in France and Poland as well.
- -Construction begins on the tunnels in the Sicilies.
- -The people and government of Denmark are incredibly disappointed that their empire is gone, but they decide that it's not really worth the trouble to deal with it.
- -There is a sudden surge in Irish, Scottish, and Welsh nationalism. Also in the UK, the new religious revival begins to take hold.
Australia
- -The peace talks continue.
- -There are two new independent countries: the Republic of Tuvalu and the Micronesian Union.
The Moon
- -Luna Perez is fairly healthy. Since she is the only person who was born on the Moon so far, and she is a bit of an international symbol, her survival becomes a big priority for scientists and doctors. Amazingly, she seems to be a fairly normal baby. Doctors are still convinced that she wouldn't survive a trip to Earth any time soon, though.
2004
Europe
- The civil war in France continues. Since Czechoslovakia was never supposed to be a thing in the first place, they separate peacefully, with Germany taking the German regions of Czechoslovakia.
- Polish forces are slammed with (insert complicated communist party name here) insurgents in East Prussia and a front line is established towards the end of the year.
Asia
Countries prepare for war. Bangladesh and India agree to not attack each other if war ever comes.
Americas
Many people are exited about the "liberation" of Arctica. Bringing many people out to vote. A Democrat from Lakota, Jay Thomas, Is elected President.
Africa
Kamerun decides to fight back with force to get their territory back. Since Buganda DID NOT HAVE TERRITORIAL INTENTIONS WHEN THEY INVADED! they, to put it bluntly, got the hell out. The territorial changes are shown on the map.
Oceania
The negotiations go so well that Antarctica is reintegrated. Papua will need further discussion.
2005
Americas
-Lucha Libre continues to grow in popularity. the First Interamerican Smackdown is held in Mexico, as Los Espada (Mexico), Kaiser Sturm and newcomer Beast of Boston (USA), The Greataxe (Canada), Defensor (USCA) and Mano (Hawaii) battle each other in the ring.
Ultimately Los Espada emerges victorious and announces his intentions to retire.
-An influx of immigrants, mostly French men and women escaping the chaos of their homeland, arrives in the USA, Canada, and parts of Mexico and South America.
there are also Germans leaving Poland coming to America.
-Tensions between the Ludditist Catranist and Neo-Dudist continue to grow.
-In South America, tensions continue to grow between Argentina and Israel. the border skirmishes have died down.
-Rumor has it that one of the South American nations is working towards the atomic bomb. Of course the problem with rumors is that no one really knows the truth....
Europe
-Queen Alexandra has her third child, Prince George.
-The Czech Republic and Slovakia both join the EEMEP
-In Poland, Russia intervenes. German rebels are stomped down hard. Naturally there's an outcry, but little can really be done.
-German and Polish forces quickly work together to stomp out the communist: Neither nation really wants to put up with them by themselves. East Prussia returns to German control, as Russia heavily implies that the two should make some sort of agreement.
the two nations begin to work out a reluctant agreement to deal with territories in question, ultimately ending with an exchange of money and Polish help for any Germans who wish to leave Poland.
-Officially, Switzerland is under German guidance until Western Europe stabilizes. It's obvious, however, that Germany has for all practical purposes annexed the territory again.
-the French Civil War continues as. Functionally the war has split into two groups: the Nationalist who have gained support from the Fascist and other hardliners, and the Eternalist who have gained support from the more fanatical and conservative members of the Christian Liberals and other groups.
Functionally, the Unionist, Orbist and other similar ideologies have fragmented and sided with either the Nationalist or Eternalist.
Neither side has a particular edge over the other and the rest of Europe is greatly concerned about the possibility of one using French Nuclear Weapons against each other.
-as this rages on, the Portuguese and Spanish send diplomats to Great Britain, Germany, the ECU, Russia, Italies and Balkans over the situation.
the Pact of Steel has, for all intents and purposes, ended as neither Iberian nation has really backed one France over the other as the "True" successor.
the two stress the need to intervene and prevent further bloodshed and potential fallout.
-In Sicily, scientists announce that they have successfully cloned an Ibex. Named Armando, the Ibex appears to be perfectly healthy.
-Cancer rates in Western Europe have skyrocketed over the last few years.
Africa
-Peace returns as the Rebuilding continues.
Asia
-The Greater Asian cooperation Pact is signed between Ugyarstan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Korea, Japan and Tibet. Building off of the 1999 defensive pact, modeling itself off of the NAU and EEMEP.
China is naturally outraged at this, and the Sino-Indian Cooperation pact is signed.
-the Caucasus nations are abit wary about Russia, as is Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan has tried to reach out to Ugyarstan, but have been rebuked.
Oceania
-Talks between Guinea and Oceania halt as die-hard Dunhamites attack several important government buildings in both nations and begin a general campaign of terror.